All eyes were on Madelyn as she made her faltering exit. No one had expected her to unravel so swiftly. If it were not for Zach shielding her, she might not have made it out at all.Zach stubbed out his cigarette in frustration. Only when Madelyn's silhouette disappeared down the corridor did he rise from his seat. He remarked, "I see you haven't lost your fire, Frida Young."Striding forward, Zach stood before Frida, his dark shadow casting an oppressive pressure over her. "You appear to forget that I'm the one holding all the cards," he warned. "Every word that escapes your lips jeopardizes Ethan. If something happens to him, don't think you can blame me."Frida's eyes narrowed into a glare. "You wouldn't dare!"Zach retorted, his eyes as chilling as a predator's, "Why wouldn't I? Maybe you'll find a body at the Young residence doorstep tomorrow. How would that be?" His menacing presence filled the air.Yvonne looked visibly shaken. "You're a part of our family now. Would you re
Madelyn tied up her long hair and checked on Dalton's diaper. She lifted her baby into the center of the large bed and settled herself on the edge. With such a big bed, she did not have to worry about accidentally rolling over him, especially since she was a peaceful sleeper.Zach walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. He asked, "How about I make you some pasta? You could use a bite."Madelyn sat up, holding a book, her eyes downcast. She responded without lifting her gaze, "It's okay. I'm not hungry."As Zach reached out a hand toward Madelyn, she leaned back, avoiding his touch. When their eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze. She hastily closed her book, shoved it under her pillow, and said, "Goodnight."Madelyn lay down, her back to him, and closed her eyes. Zach tucked her in, looked at her silently, and then went out to the balcony to smoke a few cigarettes.He pondered, 'If he really matters to her so much, why's she acting so indifferent?'Downstairs, Yvonne was kn
Rain hammered against the floor-to-ceiling windows as a sudden clap of thunder exploded in the sky. Instantly, Dalton burst into inconsolable wailing.Madelyn, who had been deeply asleep, woke up with a start. Zach let out a sigh, his arm that was wrapped around her waist loosened, and he repositioned it behind his head. Madelyn reached over to the nightstand and flipped on the light. She tossed aside the covers and got out of bed. Their room in the Southern Haven Villas was more austere compared to the extravagance they were accustomed to, and the villa itself had seen its fair share of years.Adjusting her slipping spaghetti straps, Madelyn picked up the crying Dalton and carefully made her way to the kitchen, not wanting to disturb Zach. She murmured, "There, there. It's okay. Don't cry, my sweet Dalton."For some reason, Dalton was crying even more intensely than usual. Madelyn tried her best to soothe him, but it was futile. She moved to draw the curtains, but her eyes caught s
Madelyn gave Cecilia a cold glance as she walked past. Cecilia shrugged it off."Yvonne reminds me of how you were in our past life. Both pitiful and laughable. Now you've taken my place. Feels good being on top, right? Seeing Yvonne kneel in the rain all night must be a familiar sight." Cecilia's tone was a mix of mockery and curiosity.She thought Madelyn had returned from a past life, given how close she and Zach had become. In the past, Madelyn had pleaded with Cecilia just for a chance to be near Zach, and Cecilia still remembered it all.Madelyn responded coldly, "I have no idea what you're talking about."As Cecilia watched Madelyn walk away, her lips curling into a smirk.'Madelyn, I hope you're smarter this time around,' she mused.When Cecilia opened the door, Zach was still on the bed. "I need to talk to you, Zach."Sitting up, Zach fixed his pajama buttons. "Out."Cecilia raised an eyebrow. "Can't I come in?"He gave her a stern look. "Didn't I make myself clear? W
"Your shirt's a little wrinkled; let me smooth it out for you." Cecilia made her way down the stairs, straightening out the creases on Zach's striped pajamas. She then looked toward the kitchen and said, "See you at our usual place tonight. Don't bail on me, okay?"Madelyn chose not to react to Cecilia's words. After washing and drying the pan, she returned it to its spot.When Cecilia was gone, Giovanna came downstairs, cradling Dalton she had just fed."Ms. Jent, Dal's up," Giovanna announced. "I get the feeling he's looking for you whenever he cries."Madelyn dried her hands. "Pass him here," she said, taking Dalton into her arms. "Did he get his meds?""Yes, he did."Madelyn moved to the couch, clutching Dalton tightly, while doing her best to disregard Zach. Seeing this, Giovanna wisely backed away to give them room.Zach noticed Madelyn's deliberate attempt to keep distance. Yet, in his mind, everything was falling into place: they had a child together, and he believed tha
Zach would have gladly given her anything she wanted. But now, Madelyn seemed distant and pushed him away more than anything else. People would often crave more, even when they had plenty. But he never got the one thing he truly desired.Yvonne, along with the maids she hired for the Jent residence, had been shown the door. Eager to restore the past, Zach rehired the original staff and also brought back Margaret. What Madelyn did not realize was that the mansion was actually in her name.Margaret was doing laundry in an old building when a few bodyguards approached her. They said they wanted her back at the mansion. She looked scared and quickly refused, but her eyes widened at the mention of the salary, and she could not resist getting into their car.Once seated, Margaret shook her head in disbelief, thinking, 'I can't believe I'm going back to that creepy house. Oh yeah, Yvonne Young fired me out of the blue and even docked half my pay. What am I getting myself into?'It felt li
A bodyguard walked in, holding a food container. Seeing it, Madelyn felt uneasy."Mr. Jardin," the bodyguard said, "we found this in Ethan's room."Zach glanced at the bodyguard and smirked, "Oh? What's in there?""It's pumpkin cream soup," the bodyguard replied, opening the container to reveal it was half empty.Madelyn felt nervous.Zach's voice chilled. "Who helped her deliver this to Ethan?""It was Ms. Jent's maid."Zach responded quickly, "Break her hand. Make Ethan throw up whatever he ate. From now on, he gets no more food without my approval."Giovanna paled. "Ms. Jent told me to do it. It wasn't my idea," she stammered. "I have a family to feed. I swear it won't happen again." Tears welled in her eyes as she pleaded with Zach.She then turned her gaze to Madelyn. "Please, help me."Madelyn stepped forward. "Zach, it was my call. Don't take it out on her. Ethan barely woke up, and you've already locked him away. He—""Upset about it?" Zach cut in, his voice dripping
Zach let go Madelyn and she hit the ground hard.Nearby, one of Zach's bodyguards pulled Ethan toward them. He looked beaten down, his messy, dark hair covering his empty eyes. His arms were full of bruises, and spots of blood dotted his shirt.Zach snatched a golf club from the ground, advancing toward Ethan with a threatening glint in his eyes. Seeing this, memories flooded back to Madelyn of the tales she had heard about Zach's time with Hayson, filled with dangerous confrontations. It was evident in his gaze: he wanted Ethan out of the picture. With his control over Ventropolis, nobody would dare oppose him, even if someone vanished. And this was not the fiercest she had seen him.As Zach raised his arm, Madelyn scrambled to her feet, darted to Ethan, and hugged him tight, using her body as a shield. A sudden numbness raced up her shoulder, soon replaced by a sharp, searing pain that left her arm feeling heavy. The pain was so overpowering that a ringing sound echoed in her ears